 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The book, A Brief History of Nichols
Industries, Inc. AND ITS TOY GUNS would indicate that the Spitfire (on the
box, or Spit-Fire, as it says on the gun itself) was the first rifle produced
by Nichols Industries. Actually it was produced in the same year as the
Stallion 300 Saddle Gun, 1958. Both are (sort of) replicas of the Winchester
30-30, The Gun That Won The West.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| DON'T FORGET TO SEE
THE OTHER CAP GUN BRANDS! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Different
Versions of the Spit-Fire
|
|
|
|
The Spit-Fire Cap Cartridge Loading Hip Gun With Clip.
This
complete set is just a little more rare. The little clip goes over your belt.
Both the gun and the bullets (obviously) are for right-handed people and are
angled so that you can draw them more quickly. This is a single shot, so we
bought some Stallion Round Caps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is only fitting that the first rifle Nichols
produced would be for the little ones, as Uncle Talley was always thinking of
the little cowboys and cowgirls. When this gun first came out, it was very
popular—especially with yours truly. I don't think that anybody had ever
quite seen anything like this before. So we just had to have one.
Fortunately the
gun, by itself, only sold for 98 CENTS. Sounds cheap doesn't it? Well, in 1958
$ .98 was 4 weeks' allowance for me, maybe less for you. In those days you
could go down to A & W Root Beer and get a cold one in a frosty mug for 5
cents. If you were feeling flush you could get a big one for 10 cents. You
could play a round of miniature golf for 10 cents. (Tyler, Texas) So, that
being said, we STILL saved up and bought one.
The true
testament to how well these sold and how well they were built is how many are
still in BIG KIDS' hands today. You will find them on the internet at auction
almost as often as the Dyna-Mite.
When you cocked the lever, the chamber would slide
out, pushing the hammer back (early models). It was single action only. Put the
handle back to its original location and you were ready to shoot. You had to
make it count because you only had one shot. Later in the year the Stallion 300
Saddle Gun alleviated that firepower shortage and once again Nichols was on
top.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A close-up
of the Spitfire showing its action in play. The chamber would push the hammer
back and it was cocked. The bullet didn't fly out when you did this, and this
was also the way to load the gun.
 Click For Larger
View |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nichols
Industries Spit-Fire & Holster
|
|
|
|
|
Gun & Scabbard |
|
|
|
A great fit! |
|
|
|
Ruff "n Ready |
|
|
|
Another angle |
|
|
|
Please Click On Each Thumbnail For An Enlarged
View!
Many thanks to Jim Turner for these
photos!
One of our advertisers! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Different
Versions of the Spit-Fire
|
|
|
|
The same gun as above, but taken out of the
holster in order to show it all.
|
|
How's
this for a rarity? A copper-plated Nichols Spit-Fire. Not many of these
around!
Photo thanks to Robert Nichols
|
|
You
seldom see a Spit-Fire without the forestock! This is a late model that is more
representative of the Kusan/Nichols days. I don't see "Spit-Fire" on the right
side of this rifle, do you?
Photo thanks to Robert Nichols
|
|
And
here is a contribution sent in of a non-forestock Spit-Fire that is
blued!
Photo thanks to Herb Taylor
|
|
This
is a rather rare version of the Spit-Fire that is blued and has dark walnut
furniture. The lever, hammer, forestock clip, trigger and Circle "N" are also
gold.
Photo thanks to Jim Turner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here's a nice
photo sent in by Robert Maiers who says, "I have two Nichols cap guns that my
father received in the 1960's when he was a toy distributor selling Nichols cap
guns. One is a Dyna-Mite derringer the other is a Spit-Fire. Both are gold in
color and are in custom-made walnut cases. I think these were some sort of
commemorative edition that was given out to distributors." (You're right
Robert!)
Thanks!!!
PRICES
(These prices are merely guidelines to help beginners. Experts
don't need help!)
See PRICES for more info on
guidelines. |
| DESCRIPTION |
MINT
VALUES |
AVG.
VALUES |
| Standard Spit-Fire w/
Bullet |
$25-35 |
$10-18 |
| Small simple
box |
$25-45 |
$10-20 |
| Spit-Fire w/2 bullet clip
and big box |
$55-85 |
$25-50 |
| Spit-Fire w/2 bullet clip
and no box |
$35-45 |
$20-30 |
|
|
|
 |
|
   |
|
 |
|
|
| Visit the
Dealers &
Collectors from whom you can get these fine Nichols Cap Guns!
(and other FINE TOYS!) |
|
| We will be
happy to list toy shows and the like (free), if you will please send them to me
at: . |
|
| Should you
have some nice photos and/or some text, please send them to me at:
. |
|
 |
|
This Web Site Constructed by
Syntropy Properties, Inc.
© Copyright All Rights Reserved |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
